Academic Catalog

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Mechanical engineering B.S. graduates will be able to apply basic engineering principles to identify and solve problems, and to design, specify the manufacturing of, and evaluate the performance of mechanical systems and processes.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the Bachelor of Science program, students must satisfy the admission criteria of the Division of Engineering, College of Engineering. The Department has an Academic Advisor and a Director of Undergraduate Studies. The former is responsible for assisting students with course selections and maintaining academic progress, and the latter is responsible for enforcing Departmental academic policy. Students are encouraged to meet with the Academic Advisor once every semester, for up-to-date feedback on their academic progress and a review of course plans for the next semester or two. The student and advisor together plan a complete program of study, including electives, which meet Departmental requirements and the interests of the individual student.

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree must complete 123 credits of coursework, including the University General Education requirements. All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the University and the College of Engineering governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees. 

Evening courses and cooperative programs allow professionals working in local industry to pursue an undergraduate degree while continuing employment. The degree requirements shown in the curriculum below are in effect as of the publication date of this bulletin; however, students should consult an academic advisor for verification of current requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredits
BE 1200 Basic Engineering I: Design in Engineering 3
CHM 1125 General Chemistry I for Engineers 3
CHM 1130 General Chemistry I Laboratory 1
ENG 1020 Introductory College Writing (BC) 3
MAT 2010 Calculus I (QE) 4
FYS 1010 Learning with the Brain in Mind (WE) 1
 Credits15
Second Semester
BE 1300 Basic Engineering II: Materials Science for Engineering Applications 3
BE 1310 Materials Science for Engineering: Laboratory 1
MAT 2020 Calculus II 4
PHY 2175 University Physics for Engineers I (NSI) 4
BE 1500 Introduction to Programming and Computation for Engineers 3
 Credits15
Second Year
First Semester
MAT 2030 Calculus III 4
ME 2410 Statics 3
BE 2100 Basic Engineering III: Probability and Statistics in Engineering 3
PHY 2185 University Physics for Engineers II 4
 Credits14
Second Semester
MAT 2150 Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra 4
ME 2500 Numerical Methods Using MATLAB 2
ME 2420 Elementary Mechanics of Materials 3
ME 2200 Thermodynamics 3
Any Civic Literacy (CIV) course 3
 Credits15
Third Year
First Semester
ECE 3300 Introduction to Electrical Circuits 4
ME 3300 Fluid Mechanics: Theory and Laboratory 4
ENG 3050 Technical Communication I: Reports (IC) 3
ME 3400 Dynamics 3
ME 3450 Manufacturing Processes I 3
 Credits17
Second Semester
ME 4210 Heat Transfer: Theory and Laboratory 4
ME 4150 Design of Machine Elements 4
ME 4410 Vibrations: Theory and Laboratory 4
PHI 1120 Professional Ethics (CI) 3
ENG 3060 Technical Communication II: Presentations (OC) 3
 Credits18
Fourth Year
First Semester
ME 4300
Thermal Fluid Systems Design (ME 5330 AGRADE) 1
or Advanced Thermal Fluid System Design
4
ME 4420 Dynamic Modeling and Control of Engineering System 4
ME Technical Elective (ME 5XXX) 4
Any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) course 3
 Credits15
Second Semester
ME 4500
Mechanical Engineering Design II (ME 5500 AGRADE) 2
or Advanced Engineering Design
4
ME Technical Elective (ME 5XXX) 4
Any Social Inquiry (SI) course 3
Any Global Learning (GL) course 3
 Credits14
 Total Credits123
1

may not be taken concurrently with ME 4500 or ME 5500

2

May not be taken concurrently with ME 4300 or ME 5330.

Coherent Technical Electives

Two technical electives must be chosen from among the 5000-level courses offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department. Coherent Technical Electives are as follows:

Vibrations and Acoustics
ME 5440Industrial Noise Control4
ME 5460Fundamentals in Acoustics and Noise Control4
Control and Dynamics
ME 5115Fundamentals of Electric-drive Vehicle Modeling4
ME 5400Dynamics II4
ME 6550Modeling and Control of Dynamic Systems4
Biomedical Engineering
ME 5100Quantitative Physiology4
ME 5160/BME 5210Musculoskeletal Biomechanics4
ME 5180/BME 5370Introduction to Biomaterials4
ME 6180/BME 6480/ECE 6180Biomedical Instrumentation4
Solid Mechanics and Design
ME 5040Finite Element Methods I4
ME 5620Fracture Mechanics in Engineering Design4
ME 5700Fundamentals of Mechanics4
ME 5720Mechanics of Composite Materials4
Design and Manufacturing
ME 5453Product and Manufacturing Systems and Processes4
ME 5580Computer-Aided Mechanical Design4
Thermal/Fluid Science
ME 5110/EVE 5130/AET 5110/CHE 5110Fundamental Fuel Cell Systems4
ME 5115/EVE 5110Fundamentals of Electric-drive Vehicle Modeling4
ME 5215/EVE 5120/AET 5310/CHE 5120Fundamentals of Battery Systems for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles4
ME 5300Intermediate Fluid Mechanics4
ME 5800Combustion Engines4
ME 5810Combustion and Emissions4

In addition, students may choose to do directed study and research in an area of mutual interest to the student and a faculty member.

Program Educational Objectives

Program Educational Objectives are broad in scope and describe the expected accomplishments of our graduates during the first few years after graduation, while Student Outcomes are narrower and describe what our students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The objectives of the undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University are to provide the education and training that will enable its graduates to:

  1. successfully pursue intermediate level engineering positions or additional degrees;
  2. demonstrate technical competency in applying broad, fundamental-based knowledge and up-to-date skills to perform professional work in mechanical engineering related disciplines;
  3. demonstrate competency in applying comprehensive design methodology pertaining to mechanical engineering, incorporating the use of the economic, environmental, and social impact of design;
  4. engage in professional societies, and to always apply best practices in professional ethics; and
  5. be committed to life-long learning activities through self-reliance, creativity and leadership.
 

ABET Student Outcomes (as revised on October 20, 2017)

It is expected that by the time of graduation, our B.S.M.E. students will have:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

In support of these educational objectives, faculty members will seek outstanding levels of achievement in their research and engineering practices. To further foster professionalism, the Department encourages students to be active participants in ASME, Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, SAE and other student professional organizations.

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